Medal of Honor Question

[Guy]

I got an email from a manufacturer this morning with a question that was out of my realm.

I have a question for you or the group. Is it OK to depict the Medal of Honor on a miniature? I know that you can't duplicate it or make miniatures of the medal by it self. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[AJLaFleche]

Well, I saw the Denzel Washington version of The Manchurian Candidate a couple days ago and one of the cgharecters won the MoH in Desert Storm and it is shown by itself and on him. I can't imagine anyone confusing even a 200 mm scale MoH for the real thing.

 

[IronMike]

In General. - Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title (18 United State Code) or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

My impression is that these laws prohibit manufacturing something that will impersonate the real thing. I doubt a miniature would qualify for that. I'm sure if whatever was done in good taste and with respect it wouldn't be a problem. You can always email the Medal of Honor Society and ask them. http://www.cmohs.org/society.htm

Mike

 

[garyjd]

My take on it is the same as Mike's. If you are not trying to outright copy the medal to look like the real then there should be no problem.~Gary